Enemy expands zone of active hostilities by almost 70 km

The enemy has expanded the active combat zone by almost 70 kilometers, thus trying to force Ukraine to use additional brigades from the reserve, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said.

In his Telegram channel, he informed that due to the complicated situation in eastern Ukraine, he has been working for several days in a row in units conducting combat operations in Kharkiv region.

“The enemy concentrated his main efforts on the direction of Strilecha – Lyptsi and on the capture of Vovchansk, followed by access to Bila Krynytsia and the deployment of an offensive to the rear of our troops. For this purpose, the enemy created and significantly strengthened the operational-tactical group of enemy forces North, which included combat units of the sixth Army, 11th and 44th Army Corps,” Syrsky said.

He also said the enemy launched an offensive much earlier than planned, when he noticed the transfer of Ukrainian forces, but he was unable to break through the defenses of Ukraine, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said.

“However, we understand that there will be heavy fighting ahead and the enemy is preparing for this. In such circumstances, we must prevent the further advance of enemy troops by steadily holding occupied lines and positions, air strikes, missile systems, artillery and tank fire inflicting maximum losses on them, and also create conditions for defeat by the actions of mobile assault groups and units with attacks on the flank and rear in different directions,” he said.

Syrsky also said it is necessary to make the most effective use of the advantage of Ukrainian forces in attack UAVs in combination with the use of electronic warfare equipment and accurate artillery fire.

“It was this issue, as well as the regrouping of troops and simplification of the comprehensive support system, that my work was devoted to. He worked in all the brigades conducting combat operations in Kharkiv region, was in one of the battalions that defends Vovchansk, and made all the necessary decisions on the spot to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the defense,” he said.

Syrsky also said he checked all the units preparing for defense in Sumy direction. According to him, “it is noticeable that the leadership of regional military administrations provides maximum assistance to commanders and unit commanders in resolving all problematic issues.”